Intervention by President Jacob Zuma on the AU Sources of Finance, during the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government, Addis Ababa
Chairperson,
South Africa welcomes the leadership provided by the African Union Commission on this important issue that we have been deliberating for over fourteen years.
It is of critical importance that we move with speed to ensure that the African Union is financially self-sustaining, in order to meet the backlog of its goals, mandates and deliverables.
Chairperson,
We are concerned at the large number of outstanding contributions and the rate at which the Union's reserves are fast depleting.
Our position, Chairperson, is that Member States' assessed contributions must remain the main source of funding for the African Union, as it provides an important demonstration of political commitment and enhances its credibility.
Alternative financing mechanisms should supplement membership contributions, and not replace them.
Chairperson,
The Report suggests a few instruments that Member States can use to raise the required revenue, giving them an opportunity to decide which of the suggested options they wish to adopt. We support this approach.
Member States are best placed to decide for themselves the areas where their domestic contexts allow for possibilities of funding, including the potential for the implementation of the proposed instruments.
We also welcome the proposal that the current system of assessments should be reviewed, and be based on the ability and capacity of Member States to pay. We note the proposal that the number of major contributors should be increased, given that many countries have experienced growth in their respective GDP's.
My delegation supports the view that the Report should be presented for Decision to the upcoming Assembly, so that if adopted, Member States can commence with speed on their national processes to consider the alternatives or their preferred methods of generating such revenue.
It gives South Africa great pleasure to inform the Assembly that our assessed contribution for 2015 have been paid to the African Union Commission.
I thank you!
